Like the proverbial olive, winter is an acquired taste for many. But if you do acquire a taste for it, “only in the winter,” says Ruth Stout, “can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savour yourself.” Amidst the frigid cold and dark nights, it is easy to miss the beauty and bounty of this season, its warmth and blessings. In this land of long, vivid winters, we can embrace the season or retreat from it, but we cannot ignore it.
Service Coordinator: Christina Swindells-Nader
Sermon Video
Order of Service
Centering Thought
“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.”
— Dame Edith Sitwell
Centering Music
“Gute Nacht” (excerpt) from Winterreise by Frank Schubert
Daniel Clark
Opening Words
from Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May
Christina Swindells-Nader
Chalice Lighting
In the Bleak and Cold Winter, by Cynthia Landrum
Christina Swindells-Nader
Gathering Hymn
#57 All Beautiful the March of Days
Welcome
Christina Swindells-Nader
Affirmation
Love Is the Spirit
Story Wisdom
The Mysterious, Marvellous Snowflake, by Rev Stefan Jonasson
Sing and Rejoice
Offering
Our Share the Plate Partner for February is Merchants Corner.
The offering will be gratefully received, during or after the service. Donation options are at this link.
Offertory
“February-Carnival” (excerpt) by P. Tschaikowsky, op.37a, no.2
Daniel Clark
Joys and Sorrows
Rev Stefan Jonasson
Pastoral Hymn
#352 Find a Stillness (sung seated)
Meditation
from Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times Times, by Katherine May, and Meditation on the Power of We, by Elandria Williams
Christina Swindells-Nader
Reading
from The Wisdom of Wilderness, by Gerald G. May
Rev Stefan Jonasson
Hymn
#350 The Ceaseless Flow of Endless Time
Note: the sermon will be recorded following the hymn and, barring technical issues, will eventually be available on our YouTube channel.
Sermon
An Ode to Winter
Rev Stefan Jonasson
Closing Hymn
#324 Where My Free Spirit Onward Leads
Announcements
Christina Swindells-Nader
Please submit congregational announcements to worship@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca before 9:00 am Sunday.
Closing Words
from When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times, by Pema Chödrön
Christina Swindells-Nader
Chalice Extinguishing
Carry the Flame
Following the service, please join us for community and refreshments in the sanctuary. For Zoom participants, please consider staying for conversation in our breakout room.
Transition to Breakout Room (Zoom only)
Tech team
Gratitude
Gratitude to all who helped make this service happen:
- Leader: Rev Stefan Jonasson
- Coordinator: Christina Swindells-Nader
- Music: Daniel Clark (piano), Debby Lake (lyrics coordination, hymn consultation), Kelvin Seifert and Esther Kathryn (hymn consultation),
- Music for Affirmation: Composed by P.J. Buchan
- Coordinator Lifespan Religious Exploration (CLRE): Ana Castañeda Aguilera
- Childcare: Paulina Hernandez
- Tech Team: Ashlyn Noble, Arthur Burstow, Alexey Sokadeev, Bryan Enaje, Christina Swindells-Nader, Ihor PushKar
- Ushers: Norm Cobb and others
- Set Up/Maintenance: Michael Thiessen
- Greeter: Paula Keirstead and others
- Hospitality: Sonya Watson, Christina Swindells-Nader, Janet Toews, and others
- Chalice Sculptor: Jo’Anne Kelly
- Chalice Logo Designer: Nancy Gilbert
- Pastoral Care: Rev Stefan Jonasson
- Website and office support, All Church email: Nathalie Waite
To contact SunServ (Sunday Services Team) with feedback or ideas for future services, please email worship@uuwinnipeg.mb.ca
Want to help on Sunday mornings? You can sign up for a hospitality setup or cleanup shift. Please contact the Volunteer Resources Committee or Norm Cobb or Jim Gardiner for other ways to help.
Some in our beloved community are affected by exposure to the ingredients or chemicals in scented products. We ask that you join our efforts to accommodate their health concerns by being mindful and where possible avoiding scented products such as hair spray, perfume and deodorant when attending services.
Please keep aisles clear, particularly for people with mobility challenges, and turn off electronic devices during the service.
Please refrain from taking photographs and making recordings during and after the service unless you have the express permission of all people involved. Thank you!
Topics: Mindfulness